move through the gears

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

move through the gears (third-person singular simple present moves through the gears, present participle moving through the gears, simple past and past participle moved through the gears)

1. (idiomatic) To gradually increase speed or output.
   • 2011 November 12, “International friendly: England 1-0 Spain”, in BBC Sport‎^[1]:

     Spain failed to move through the gears despite exerting control for lengthy spells and a measure of perspective must be applied immediately to the outcome.

See also

• put one through one's paces